Phil Ellis | TV21 | Mon 24 Mar | 8pm | FREE As August looms over the comedy world and acts begin to ready their plans for assault on the Edinburgh Fringe, more established comics are to be seen at free nights to test their new material on an impartial crowd. So it is that Manchester’s most incendiary stand up heads to Dead Cat Comedy at TV21 with some deal of prep for his forthcoming show at the fringe. And if rumours are to be believed its to be even more outrageous than what he offered up at last year’s Unplanned Orphan show. As ever Red Redmond is your reliable rapid fire host for the evening with a great slate of comics new and old ready to entertain you, all for the cost of a smile.https://www.facebook.com/events/634844406564586/?notif_t=plan_user_invited Rachel Fairburn | Kings Arms | Tue 25 Mar | 8pm | FREE Another act test piloting their Edinburgh show is the darkly hilarious Rachel Fairburn (pictured). A circuit favourite for her dark and brooding ruminations on life and mostly death hidden by her diminutive Disney Princess looks. Last year she collected her favourite serial killers into a colouring book, or killering book if you will. A kind of cheeky melancholy runs through her sets as she regales the audience with tales of misery and the curse left on her family. Come join her for an hour or so. Misery loves company.https://www.facebook.com/events/1401381960130469/ Chris Lynam | The Pub/Zoo | Tue 25 Mar | 7.30pm | £5/3 When XS Malarkey are almost too excited about a comic they have booked then it follows good reason that you should get very excited. One of the pioneers of the alternative scene Chris Lynam promises a show like no other with cryptic clues about what exactly to be expected spattered across the facebook wall this one will be a show you definitely shouldn’t miss. Always a popular addition to the Malarkey bill it looks set to be a sell out so get your tickets early.http://www.wegottickets.com/event/259850#.UyrqpP2XxSV Richard Herring | The Lowry | Fri 28 Mar | 8pm | £18 In his last few shows Richard Herring has managed to sort through the big issues that inspire and frustrate us on a daily basis, be it politics (Hitler Moustache), religion (Christ on a Bike) and penises (Talking Cock) now he takes on the end of everything in his show on death entitled ‘We’re All Going To Die’. A master of mining the minutae of any subject he chooses Herring tackles the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns (except Jesus and that canoe bloke). Death is inevitable, and thankfully so are the laughs, we might as well spend our time before the former, doing the latter.http://www.thelowry.com/event/richard-herring2 Gary Delaney | Gorilla | Sat 29 Mar | 8pm | £10/8 For lovers of one line bandits such as Tim Vine and Milton Jones, head down to Manchester’s most welcoming comedy night (provided your not on a stag or hen do) Group Therapy at Gorilla. Razor sharp groan-comic Gary Delany is one of the quickest on the circuit and always a welcome addition to any bill, machine gunning puns at the audience with astonishing accuracy. Danny McLoughlin will be MCing with Gary Little opening, a comic fresh off the back of supporting Bill Burr on his recent UK tour where he was dubbed as ‘a fucking riot’ by the Boston funnyman. The Bill Burr link doesn’t end there as every member of the crowd will be given a free DVD of his show ‘You People Are All The Same’, and while he’s probably best known for playing Kuby in Breaking Bad in the UK, over the pond he is the best touring stand up in the country, and worth the entry fee for the disc alone.http://www.seetickets.com/event/group-therapy-comedy-club-with-gary-delany/gorilla/771607 Laughing Cows | Frog & Bucket | Sun 30 Mar | 7.30pm | £10/7 The Frog and Bucket’s monthly night of all female comics hosts Aisling Bea, winner of the Gilded Balloon’s ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ competition becoming only the second woman to ever do so, and she was also one of the highly praised stand ups from last year’s Edinburgh Festival being nominated as best newcomer in the Foster’s Comedy Awards. A physical and sharply witted comic, Bea brings a lot of energy and a ton of laughs. She will be ably supported by the cream of local comics sans a Y chromosome such as Hayley Ellis and Madge Hocks.http://www.frogandbucket.com/laughing-cows-3/ Jon Ronson’s Frank Story | The Dancehouse | Sun 30 Mar | 7.30pm | £15/12 Having written the entirely fictional ‘Frank’ Jon Ronson aims to tell the true tale of his times in the employ of Timperley’s finest export. A heartwarming and hilarious account of a young man’s adventure with his boss in a big fake head. Ronson peppers his stories with references to those stories that inspired his ‘inspired by’ movie and has a great deal of stories from the road with Frank Sidebottom, all of which involve a lot of madness and papier mache. A great orator speaking about a subject close to his heart, and the catalyst for his entire career.http://www.thedancehouse.co.uk/whats_on/autumn_winter_2002/event_328.asp

Silky | Sandbar | Mon 17 Mar | 8pm | FREE The very first BBC Radio New Comedy Awards in 1995 was probably the best line up there has ever been in a competition final. Won by Mighty Boosh co-creator Julian Barratt, it also featured arguably Britain’s greatest ever comedian in Daniel Kitson, and one of the UK’s most likable in Lee Mack. Coming up at the same time was a young comic from Liverpool who is coming up to 20 years in the comedy business, having performed worldwide and gained a reputation as one of the best on the circuit who runs his own gigs known as Kill For A Seat Comedy that are said to be the loveliest gigs around, a joy to perform and to view. A brilliantly amenable performer who uses words and music to explain the intricacies of the world and how we’d all be better off after a bloody good hug. He is a rare treat to see in Manchester and you should grab it with both hands. It won’t cost you a thing.https://www.facebook.com/events/428977700581927/ The Worst Comedy Night in Salford | Kings Arms | Tue 18 Mar | 7.30pm | FREE It might be the worst comedy night in Salford, though there is a dearth of competition, but its definitely the most welcoming and comfortable comedy night in the other city. Taking place as it does in the snug of creative hub and apostrophe haters The Kings Arms, the night puts an emphasis on new acts, and more established ones trying out new stuff to an open minded and friendly crowd that’s sure to one day cement it as ‘The Second Worst Comedy Night in Salford’. Keep reaching for that rainbow gang.https://www.facebook.com/Theworstcomedynightinsalford Dead Funny | Rain Bar | Wed 19 Mar | 8pm | FREE Red Redmond launches another comedy night in Manchester this time at Rain Bar on Great Bridgewater Street. As ever with any Dead Cat production its absolutely free and has an ace line up for you to enjoy. Joining Red for the inaugural event are Lewis Charlesworth, Liam Pickford and Sam Gore. A top bill you could expect at any weekend club, only on a Wednesday and considerably less money. Read our full preview here: http://manchesterwire.co.uk/#!/dead-cat-presents-dead-funny-ft-liam-pickford-more-at-rain-barhttp://deadcatcomedy.co.uk/event/dead-funny-rain-bar/ Just Farah Laugh | Kosmonaut | Wed 19 Mar | 8pm | FREE The producers of your Grandad’s favourite trousers are undergoing somewhat of a rebrand as hipsters pick up dead man’s trousers in charity shops, Farah are aiming to cut out the middle man and go straight to the source selling the finest slacks in town to the flat lensed glasses, sailor tattooed masses. As part of their rebranding they have come up with a great pun, and then had to put on a comedy night because of it. A free night of comedy no less ‘Just Farah Laugh’ is a damn fine night of new comedy stars to have you wetting your pants with laughter. And then buying new pants from Farah. Buy Farah, the people’s trousers. Taking place in the basement of Kosmonaut (let’s hope this isn’t the only time the space is utilized in this way) the night features Scottish comic Iain Sterling and middle class crooner Alex Smith. Just go to the site listed below and apply for tickets. Can’t say Farah than that…. Sorry. We’re so, so sorry.http://www.farah.co.uk/blog?post=just-farah-laugh-our-new-comedy-night-win-tickets Laughing for a Change | Frog & Bucket | Wed 19 Mar | 7pm | £10/8 Wednesday is chock a block with comedy this week, after those two free shows you may want to pay for your comedy, because that’s your barometer for class? And what better way to spend your money than on a charitable event, one with a phenomenal listing of comedians. Headlining is the UK’s foremost guitar-wielding, loop-layering stand up Rob Deering, with support from the bizarre and compelling Seymour Mace and the brilliant Annette Fagon. The whole charitable affair will be headed by the wonderful Barbara Nice.http://www.frogandbucket.com/laughing-for-a-change/ Mike Newall | South West Manchester Cricket Club | Fri 21 Mar | 7.30pm | £5 If you don’t want to venture into town to get your laughs on a Friday night, then be sure to head to Chorlton (or stay in Chorlton if that’s already where you live) as the South West Manchester Cricket Club hits you for six. You see hitting a six is good in cricket, and also there are six comics on the line up. How’s that? Headlining is Manc raconteur Mike Newall who offers up offbeat, surreal and clever observations about modern life and indeed the city in which we live. On a great bill of support the stand out is Lee Fenwick who’s richly developed, almost heartbreaking, but always hilarious character comedy is a must see at any gig. https://www.facebook.com/events/596593790433173/

Quippopotamus | Fuel | Sun 23 Mar | 8pm | FREE

Withington’s surrealist comedy night Quip gets in touch with its feminine side this month with a double headline bill of Harriet Dyer and Kiri Pritchard-Mclean. These two great comics are currently workshopping their respective Edinburgh shows, which are sure to knock people down with laughter when they arrive at the Fringe. Dyer’s suitably bonkers show, entitled ‘Barking at Aeroplanes’, takes in all manner of daft ideas as she works through her issues with the world and tries to figure out how certifiable she is. Kiri Pritchard-Mclean’s ‘Racist Sexist Show’ may attract a bizarre following of Bernard Manning die-hards, but is actually a thought-provoking rumination on the roles sex and race play in everything we do. Especially comedy. It promises to be a smart look at the world from a rising comedy talent. The night will be ably hosted as ever by idiot ringmaster Jack Evans, who may or may not have ingested a dangerous amount of oestrogen to fit in with his two guests.

Patrick Monahan | The Railway | Mon 10 Mar | 8pm | £5 One of the best pubs in Didsbury hosts one of the best comedy nights in the city this week with Irish/Iranian/Teesider Patrick Monahan takes to the stage at The Railway for a steal at only a fiver. With numerous TV appearances under his belt having won ITV’s ‘Show Me The Funny’ he has perfected a blend of audience participation and ad lib banter with solid stand uppery. The musical idiocy of Duncan Oakley is in fine support and your regular compere Tony Basnett will be in charge of proceedings.http://www.wegottickets.com/event/261092#.UxxCjf2XxSU Phill Jupitus | The Pub/Zoo | Tue 11 Mar | 7.30pm | £5/3 It’s hard to remember but there was no XS Malarkey at the tail end of last year as it fought to find a new and suitable home to provide the Manchester scene with some of its best line ups. And in the Pub/Zoo (which is it!?!?) they have done just that with week after week of sterling acts to further cement themselves as the best comedy night around, even more so with the arrival this week of Phill Jupitus. The Buzzcocks stalwart is always a welcome addition to XS, and here he will be ably supported by the likes of Rachel Fairburn, Daniel Nicholas, Anth Young and exciting Sheffield sketch group Stapleface.http://www.wegottickets.com/event/259846#.UxxeVf2XxSU Sham Bodie | The Castle | Thu 13 Mar | 7.30pm | £5 Returning for its fourth show, this month’s Sham Bodie presents its usual mix of comedy, music, food and chat, with a great emphasis on comedy. Your host Ben Tonge guides you through the TFI-like show with stand up from the mirthful and misanthropic Phil Ellis, observational gems from Kevin Dewsbury and the darkest of sketch acts Gein’s Family Giftshop. A great night out that comes with a free hot dog in the middle.http://www.wegottickets.com/event/262187#.UxylEP2XxSU Russell Kane | The Lowry | Fri 14 Mar | 8pm | £20.50 Somewhat overshadowed by the other Russell draped in jewellery, smothered in guyliner and with a questionable haircut, Russell Kane is dismissed all too quickly as a tribute act, who rode the crest of the cheeky overly sexual wave of comedy purveryed primarily by the former Mr Katy Perry. The Kaiser Chiefs to Brand’s Franz Ferdinand. But with a dedication to craft over his own persona he has etched out his own comedic style with this show in which he examines our obsession with making things smaller. Hopefully he won’t make too many references to his penis and undo all that good work.http://www.thelowry.com/event/russell-kane2 Shappi Khorsandi | The Lowry | Sat 15 Mar | 8pm | £18 The author of the hilarious book ‘A Beginner’s Guide To Acting English’ Khorsandi has a knack of treading the line of racial harmony with a glint in her eye that can let her get away with almost anything. A very smart writer evidenced in this book but also in her flawless routines about race and culture in a country that borrows from everywhere else but fears the human attachment. One of the brightest comedians currently touring the country she is definitely worth checking out for her dizzy delivery and effortless charm.http://www.thelowry.com/event/shappi-khorsandi1 Carl Donnelly | The Lowry | Sun 16 Mar | 8pm | £12 Carl Donnelly rounds off an impressive weekend of comedy at The Lowry with his brilliantly titled show ‘Now That’s What I Carl Donnelly’. Bringing his observations of a world gone wrong and how we might best deal with it, the Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee makes a lot of sense out of his nonsense and after featuring on the likes of Mock The Week, Russell Howard’s Good News and Dave’s One Night Stand he is able to share his world vision with more and more, which can only be a good thing.http://www.thelowry.com/event/carl-donnelly1

Gein’s Family Giftshop’s Bargain Basement | The Kings Arms | Mon 3 Mar | 8.30pm | FREE Ed Gein’s bastard offspring bring more dark and surreal sketches to Salford’s Kings Arms and invite some of their friends to perform too in their bargain basement, which is in fact on the first floor. Hotly tipped for massive things this year by pretty much anyone that’s ever laughed at something they weren’t supposed to, Gein’s are a horrific treat who are literally giving it away for free here. You’d be unhinged to miss. Especially since they are joined by serial killer afficianado Rachel Fairburn and the surreal storytelling of Mike Newell.https://www.facebook.com/events/776011925759473/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_ Will Franken | The Pub/Zoo | Tue 4 Mar | 8pm | £5/3 XS Malarkey follow last week’s sublime and ridiculous Ben Target with the rapid fire character comedy of Will Franken. The American ex pat manages to transport himself from one body to the next with the flick of a wrist and scarily accurate representations of the fringe players in life. A wonderful satirist and mimic Franken performs at a breathless pace that doesn’t let up from start to finish. A must see performer.http://www.wegottickets.com/event/259844#.Uw4zr_2XxSU Quippopotamus | Odd Bar | Tue 4 Mar | 8pm | FREE You can probably decide whether or not you would like to go to a night like Quippopotamus if you like the sound of the following act; Detective Inspector Horsehand. Still with us? That’s good. You shan’t regret it. If Ronseal made character sketches, Detective Inspector Horsehand is a cop with a lot on his mind, and a horse on his hand after an experimental procedure went wrong. He is Roboclop and he has 24 hours to solve the case. Added to this slice of madness is ex heavy metaller and current very funny comedian Callum Scott, and radical Scottish anarcomedian Will Setchell, possessor of the sharpest wit and cheekbones in the city. All rounded out with a Bill Hicks séance you’ve probably never been to a comedy night like Quippopotamus.https://www.facebook.com/events/621559387897728/?notif_t=plan_user_invited Real Life with Ben Kewin | Gorilla | Thu 6 Mar | 8pm | £8.50 Housing amazing monthly night ‘Group Therapy’ has turned Whitworth Street’s Gorilla into the place in Manchester for hip and daring comedy. Enter Ben Kewin who plans to explain all the things about real life you might not understand unless you’ve seen a play about it. Using all of the performance styles ‘The Artist’ presents a series of staggeroingly beautiful plays, films and readings to get the audience through those difficult situations in life. A one off show that promises to be quite insane, Kewin will take his congregation on an emotional journey, one which he hopes will make them cry, for that will show important his work is. A piece of left field genius.http://gorilla.seetickets.com/event/real-life-with-ben-kewin/gorilla-manchester/769508 Andrew Ryan | Royal Exchange | Fri 7 Mar | 6pm | FREE What better way is there to end your working week, or begin your drinking weekend than by going to see some free comedy? Nothing, that’s what. So head down to The Royal Exchange and try not to feel too dirty and working class whilst in a theatre and enjoy some quintessentially Irish storytelling from one of the best loved acts on the comedy circuit, Andrew Ryan. A quick witted, fast paced performer he gained rave reviews for his Edinburgh Fringe debut show in 2012 and is ably supported by Manchester Wire favourite Rich Wall.http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/event.aspx?id=806 New Stuff | The Comedy Store | Sun 9 Mar | 7.30pm | £3 With Edinburgh preview season upon us, nights like Toby Hadoke’s New Stuff are even more important for comics to try out the material they’ve been working on since the last fest. Hadoke welcomes his funny friends to test their new gags on a friendly audience. It could be deep fried gold, or it could be the opposite of that, shallow, frozen lead. The comics on show are more than adept at dying though and can turn even the least well received bit into a good night.https://etickets.thecomedystore.co.uk/WebPages/EntaWebEvent/EventSBAndPrices.aspx

Sidekick Comedy | Via Fossa | Mon 24 Feb | 7.30pm | £2 Comedy for nerds returns to the village with a trio of heroic stand ups assembled for your comedic pleasure. BBC Radio New Comedy Award winner 2013 Steve Bugeja presents his awkward take on the world around him, from the anomaly of showers being filthy to the very existence of a toilet brush. Lou Conran is a circuit favourite of Sarah Millican and just about anyone else who has ever been swept away by her effervescent charm, and Kevin Dewsbury headlines the night with his mix of observation and consternation. A very quick witted human who’s show ‘Out Now’ was a hit at last year’s Edinburgh festival. Or you might just know him from them Stan James ads. http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Via/Sidekick-Comedy/12103056/ Ben Target | The Pub/Zoo | Tue 25 Feb | 7.30pm | £5/3 Ben Target is a man of many hats, both literally and figuratively, and is one of the most abstract comedians currently available for human consumption, Target is a member of the Alternative Comedy Memorial Society and the even more alternative ‘Weirdos’ who have been likened to that pioneering bunch of 80s madcappery ‘Comic Strip’. A prop comic who explores the space in between gags to great effect like a jazz great, he will be supported by Jay Foreman and Sophie Willan, with the always excellent Dan Nightingale standing in for Toby Hadoke on MCing duties.http://www.wegottickets.com/event/259842#.UweP4P2XxSU Comedy at The Kings | Kings Arms | Thu 27 Feb | 8pm | £5/3 Ever eaten a great big comedy meal and felt let down that there was no dessert to finish you off? Well you’re in luck as Comedy at The Kings brings the greatest USP to a comedy night since prohibition was done away with, cake with your comedy. If cake wasn’t enough to entice you then thankfully they also have an amazing line up with Peter Brush, Simon D Heaven, Dotty Winters and Lewis Charlesworth, with Ruth E. Cockburn as your MC/cake waitress. Brush is certainly worth the entry fee, especially when given the freedom to delve into more avant garde routines that will hopefully be afforded to him here.http://www.wegottickets.com/event/257590#.UwctCP2XxSU Joel Dommett | The Lowry | Sat 1 Mar | 8pm | £12 Never has anyone looked so genuinely happy to be on a stage as Joel Dommett, beaming from ear to ear with a toothy grin that threatens to blind the audience Dommett imbues happiness in those watching with his infectious joy. He’s also very funny, which helps a lot. You may recognize him from his role in Skins back in 2010, or as the face of MTV News, if you don’t recognize either of these things as things, or just wish they never existed then this may not be the comic for you. But for fans of joyous unadulterated comedy then get down and bask in the MEGALOLZ.https://tickets.thelowry.com/Online/seatSelect.asp?BOset::WSmap::seatmap::performance_ids=152154EE-F7E2-4580-BE90-083DD17A438D Joe Lycett | The Lowry | Sun 2 Mar | 8pm | £12 The phrase ‘next big thing’ is bandied around all too freely these days. With the aisles of Tesco being stocked by the broken spirits of those who were once ‘tipped’ to ‘make it’ ‘big’, it’s hard to believe anyone when they nudge you in the direction of someone who will one day monopolise your viewing screens so absolutely that you’ll be sick to your stomach by the very mention of them. So it is with great confidence that we point our fateful finger in the direction of Joe Lycett who is already tipped by as ‘one to watch’ by Time Out, was nominated as Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for his debut show in 2012 and has his own BBC3 gameshow about to hit screens with fellow ‘next big thing’-er Jamie Demetriou. Don’t say you weren’t warned.https://tickets.thelowry.com/Online/seatSelect.asp?BOset::WSmap::seatmap::performance_ids=AB3DA56E-04AD-41D2-BB5A-EDA185F6FDF5